Ogopogo art and the origins of the valley

OKANAGAN – Strange etchings at the bottom of Lake Okanagan are among the latest revelations included in the third edition of a best-selling book about the origins of the Okanagan.

First published in 1994 and updated in 2004, the first two editions of Okanagan Geology sold more than 10,000 copies. Editor and author Murray Roed says the latest edition contains even more information and reveals startling results of several recently concluded studies.

“The entire book has been re-edited,” he says. “It’s been a lot of fun and there’s a lot of new information for people who are interested in the history of the valley landscape.”

The 200-plus page book includes descriptions of many of the valley’s most prominent natural wonders. Layer Cake Mountain, the Mission Creek Greenway, Gallagher’s Canyon, Bear Creek Park and Mount Boucherie are all explained by industry-leading scientists in a fun, accessible way.

“There are some technical terms in there but it’s easy to read,” he says. “It isn’t overly technical, in fact we tried to write it at a tenth grade level.”

Perhaps most exciting, this third edition of Okanagan Geology includes results of studies that have been completed in the last ten years, including evidence of a million-year-old glacial period that once covered the valley. One of the most surprising discoveries in the book is that the bottom of Okanagan Lake is covered by kilometre-long, metre-deep ridges Roed calls “Ogopogo art”.

“They’re quite unusual,” he says. “We have no origin of them yet… but they’re quite spectacular.”

The authors and editors were all volunteers and profits go to students at Okanagan College and UBCO. All profits from the book will once again be donated to local students.

Okanagan Geology is available at Mosaic Books, UBCO bookstores, the Kelowna Museum and the Kelowna Chapters for $24.95.

The Okanagan Heritage Museum in Kelowna is hosting a book launch and signing from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior